Phantom Billstickers, the street poster company, is offering Aotearoa’s bands and live performers free posters to promote their gigs post Covid-19.
In a press release, Phantom stated that it “wants to see live performances roaring back once Covid restrictions end. So it’s putting its money where its mouth is with free posters for bands and other live performers.”
As a result, they will be offering to print and place a free A3 poster for every performer promoting their first gig once live performances are allowed in their local area. Phantom, who runs Aotearoa’s largest street poster network, will be offering up to 50 free posters across the country, subject to space availability.
Artists interested in taking Phantom up on this offer are invited to e-mail their artwork, contact details and preferred dates for their poster to go up to anton@0800phantom.co.nz.
According to CEO Robin McDonnell, it’s “gut-wrenching to see venues shuttered” (RIP Starters, forever in our hearts) and “live performers silenced” by Covid-19. “We’ve been sticking up for live music for 40 years – it’s a cause we believe in,” said Robin. “Now more than ever, Aotearoa needs to get out and experience the magic of a shared experience.”
After that touchingly eloquent monologue, he had two more words of encouragement to add: “Fuck Covid”.
Critic Te Arohi has previously reported on the challenges and opportunities faced by local musos under Covid-19 restrictions, with a “new normal” of smaller gigs, (even)-tighter finances and lots of online content with fewer opportunities for audience interaction.
Under Alert Level 2 (which most of Aotearoa is at right now), there are currently no restrictions on the number of people who can attend an event at a venue, as long as they can be spaced 1m apart. All events are forbidden under Alert Level 3 (which Auckland, Northland and parts of the Waikato are at as of press time).